28 WKU students candidates for Homecoming queen: Twenty-eight students are candidates for Homecoming 2017 queen at WKU. WKU will play Charlotte in the Homecoming football game on Oct. 14. At halftime, the Homecoming Court, styled by Belk, will be introduced, followed by the crowning of the queen. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

#People of WKU: Jocelyn Porter: “I did a documentary on a holocaust survivor,” said WKU senior Jocelyn Porter speaking of her study abroad experience in Denmark at the Danish School of Media and Journalism. “Oh my gosh, I just loved it so much.” Porter was on an exchange with students from 12 different countries. “We had our own little community in itself. Now, I have friends all over the world that I am trying to figure out how I can visit.” Porter is Mahurin Honors College at WKU student from Louisville, studying Political Science and Broadcasting. Porter expressed that she decided to attend WKU for broadcasting program, to study abroad, and to experience the beautiful campus and community of people.

Research Spotlight: Tomo Brown: As part of his Mahurin Honors College at WKU capstone experience, WKU senior Tomo Brown will spend this spring conducting a work analysis of the Black Mambas of Balule, an anti-poaching unit in South Africa. Brown hopes to help develop of a system to propagate similar wildlife preservation units. Brown’s work analysis will assist in identifying a culturally appropriate manner of resolving a current mid-level leadership concern, and it is expected to lead to the creation of a resource manual for future units. Brown is from Nashville, Tennessee, majoring in Industrial Organizational Psychology.

Why We Love Student Support Services and You Should Too: As WKU students, we all have several things in common. First, we all love Big Red. Second, we all strive to attain that (sometimes elusive) degree. Third, we all want to feel support and belonging. Great news, across all of our WKU campuses, there are a variety of support services available to you.

WKU Public Radio Weekday Newscast Schedule: Tune into WKU Public Radio for national and international news from NPR, and local newscasts every half hour during Morning Edition (4-9 a.m. Central), and All Things Considered (3-6 p.m. Central), as well as local news features and interviews produced by the WKU news staff. WKU’s Public Radio can be heard on WKYU-FM (88.9) in Bowling Green/Glasgow; WDCL-FM (89.7) in Somerset/Campbellsville; WKPB-FM (88.9) in Henderson/Owensboro; WKUE-FM (90.9) in Elizabethtown/Bardstown; and online at http://www.wkyufm.org/

Football: Marcus Ward Named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist: Graduate senior defensive back Marcus Ward has been named a semifinalist for the 2017 William V. Campbell Trophy, it was announced Wednesday morning. Ward is one of 181 student-athletes across all levels of college football to be honored by The National Football Foundation, including one of 71 from FBS programs.

The WKU Soccer team will host Rice tonight.

Soccer: WKU Returns Home Against Rice This Evening: Following a two-week road trip to open C-USA play, WKU will be back inside the friendly confines of the WKU Soccer Complex this evening at 7 as the Lady Toppers welcome Rice for a conference clash. Tonight’s match will serve as the team’s annual “Red Out” match, and all fans are encouraged to wear red to support the Lady Toppers; the first 50 fans in attendance will receive a free red T-shirt. The match will also be Military, Veterans and First Responders Night with each group receiving recognition. As with all home matches this season, admission is free for all fans.

WKU’s special teams gaining steam: WKU has a formula for grading the play of its special teams. And it’s not a simple one. Mike Sanford Sr., the program’s special teams coordinator, tracks hidden yardage after each of the Hilltoppers’ games. It’s a number not listed on any stat sheet or website. “It’s complicated,” Sanford Sr. said. “It’s a little bit like a math equation.”

Topper Travelers Program 2018: The WKU Alumni Association is planning a Baltic Cruise across Northern Europe June 21-July 2, 2018. The 10-night cruise across the Baltic Sea aboard Marina will begin in Copenhagen, Denmark, with stops in Berlin, Germany; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia; and Stockholm, Sweden. For information, visit alumni.wku.edu/baltic2018 or contact the Alumni Association at 800-842-9023 or alumnievents@wku.edu.